CHITRAL: The natural death of an elderly snow leopard in the Garam Chashma area of Chitral has been confirmed following a joint field assessment and autopsy by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife & Livestock Department and the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF).
According to officials, the carcass of a male snow leopard was found on January 19, 2026, in a rangeland above Wakht village. A postmortem examination conducted by an experienced veterinarian revealed that the animal, estimated to be around 12 years old, died due to severe diarrhoea and dehydration linked to old age and prolonged food shortage. Authorities confirmed that no signs of poaching, poisoning, snaring, or human-induced harm were found.
Wildlife experts termed the incident a rare ecological indicator, noting that large carnivores often die due to human-related causes before reaching old age. The natural death of the snow leopard is being seen as a sign of improving human-wildlife coexistence in the region.
Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr Shezra Mansab Kharal, said the case reflects the success of science-based conservation and community engagement, adding that improved awareness and protection measures are helping conserve iconic species in Pakistan’s mountain landscapes.
In recent months, the Garam Chashma area has drawn attention after videos of snow leopards near villages circulated on social media, creating fear among residents. In response, the KP Wildlife Department and SLF held community awareness sessions and promoted preventive livestock-protection measures. Local communities sought long-term solutions rather than compensation, prompting SLF to provide livestock vaccination and commit to extending conflict-mitigation initiatives such as predator-proof corrals, livestock insurance schemes, and conservation education.
Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) Chitral, Mr Farooq Nabi, said wildlife teams responded promptly and conducted a thorough inspection of the site. He stated that the findings confirmed natural causes of death and reflected consistent patrolling, community cooperation, and coordination with conservation partners.
SLF Director Dr Muhammad Ali Nawaz said the incident should be viewed in a broader conservation context, noting that avoiding human conflict throughout its life indicates growing trust between communities and conservation authorities.
The KP Wildlife Department and SLF reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening community-based conflict mitigation, expanding livestock insurance and predator-proof infrastructure, continuing awareness programs, and maintaining monitoring across snow leopard habitats in Chitral.
